Should I quit trying with this site?

[zsimpson22]

I have a website that I set up about a month ago, I built backlinks to it immediately (high quality, paid for backlinks) and have been slowly adding more since then. I am making about 5 dollars everyday with the site, but I am not even ranking in the top 1000 on google according to free serp checkers. Which, obviously, ranking was my goal in the first place! And my keyword I am targeting only has 1200 searches month so I know its not because comp is just to high. Has google penalized my site for something you think? Should I just give up on ranking this one and move onto another? Also, what do you guys have to say about going with EMD's? Because thats what my site is and I am thinking I might have shot myself in the foot. Any input is appreciated guys.

 

[black101]

if you are making $5 a day and not ranking in the top 1000, where does your traffic come from?

 

[zsimpson22]

if you are making $5 a day and not ranking in the top 1000, where does your traffic come from?

Thats what I'm wondering. Lol I have no idea. My guess is a few of my links are high PR and people are clicking on it from there? I don't know for sure though. Is there a way for me to tell?

 

[Bestindabiz]

You need to install yourself a good stat counter

 

[zsimpson22]

You need to install yourself a good stat counter

I use google analytics but I can't find a way to tell where my clicks are coming from, if there is a way from analytics.

 

[Numbuh362]

instead of giving up just make the site bigger and add more articles, you might be ranking for long tails you don't know about.

 

[Hugh Hrefer]

Acquisition -> All Traffic. You'll see Google / organic, not the keywords since most of those are encrypted now.

You may be ranking for long tails. If the site is making money, I'd keep it. Google Webmaster Tools also shows queries which can give you an idea for what you're ranking.

 

[TheUnborn]

Check if your onpage seo is well optimized first

 

[zsimpson22]

Alright ill check out that analytics section and also the webmaster tools and see if I can find out where traffic is coming from to see if I need to keep building onto the site

 

[seocrab]

Alright ill check out that analytics section and also the webmaster tools and see if I can find out where traffic is coming from to see if I need to keep building onto the site

Yes, once you know where site traffic is coming from you can make a strategy to increase it.

Also, 1200 monthly searches doesn't mean 'low competition' at all, it really depends on the keyword.

 

[zsimpson22]

Alright so about 85 percent of my traffic is coming from "direct" according to google analytics. What exactly does this mean?

 

[noseo]

Direct means that there is no referrer. Bookmarks and url type-ins are examples. (Some of it might be you.)

 

[rutix]

it means that users go directly to user site, open browser -> type your domain

 

[zsimpson22]

it means that users go directly to user site, open browser -> type your domain

Thats what I thought. Thanks man. Guess they just see the link somewhere else thats not clickable and just type it in.